Summary of Size Standards by Industry Sector

Summary of Size Standards by Industry Sector

As of July 14, 2014

Small business size standards define the largest that a business concern, including all of its affiliates, may be and yet qualify as a small business concern for SBA and most other federal programs, The SBA has established two widely used size standards – 500 employees for most manufacturing and mining industries and $7.5 million in average annual receipts for many nonmanufacturing industries. However, there are a number of exceptions. For the size standard applicable to any North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, see the SBA’s Small Business Size Regulations, 13 CFR §121.201, or the Table of Small Business Size Standards.

Wholesaler or distributor acting as a dealer on Federal contracts under a small business set-aside, SDVOSB set‑aside, WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside, or 8(a) contract –

500 employees, and

the firm must deliver the product of a small domestic manufacturer (i.e., made in the U.S.A.), as set forth in SBA’s nonmanufacturer rule, unless waived by the SBA for a particular class of product. Such a waiver applies only to the size of the manufacturer and not to the product’s origin

However, for those procurements made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of the FAR and where the purchase does not exceed $25,000, the nonmanufacturer may deliver the goods of any domestic manufacturer (i.e., made in the U.S.A.)

Retail Trade

About one‑third of the retail trade industries – $7.5 million in average annual receipts.

A few, such as grocery stores, department stores, motor vehicle dealers (except new car dealers) and electrical appliance dealers – generally a higher size standard, ranging from $11 million to $38.5 million in average annual receipts

New Car Dealers – 200 employees

Fuel Dealers – 50 employees

When a retailer is acting as a dealer on Federal contracts under a small business set-aside, SDVOSB set‑aside, WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside, or 8(a) contract –

500 employees, and

the firm must deliver the product of a small domestic manufacturer (i.e., made in the U.S.A.), as set forth in SBA’s nonmanufacturer rule, unless waived by the SBA for a particular class of product. Such waiver applies only to the size of the manufacturer and not to the product’s origin

However, for those procurements made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of the FAR and where the purchase does not exceed $25,000, the nonmanufacturer may deliver the goods of any domestic manufacturer (i.e., made in the U.S.A.)

Transportation and Warehousing

Air transportation – 1,500 employees

Water transportation – 500 employees

Truck transportation - $27.5 million in average annual receipts

Transit and ground passenger transportation - $15 million in average annual receipts

Satellite and other telecommunication services – $32.5 million in average annual receipts

Finance and Insurance

Depository institutions and credit card issuing companies - $550 million in average assets

Most non-depository institutions - $38.5 million in average annual receipts

Direct property and casualty insurance carriers – 1,500 employees

Other direct insurance carriers - $38.5 million in average annual receipts

Funds, trusts and other financial vehicles - $32.5 million in average annual receipts

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Lessors of real estate - $27.5 million in average annual receipts

Leasing of building space to Federal Government by owners - $38.5 million in average annual receipts

Offices of real estate agents and brokers - $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Activities related to real estate - $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Automotive equipment rental and leasing - $38.5 million in average annual receipts

Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing - $32.5 million in average annual receipts

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Legal services - $11 million in average annual receipts

Accounting and related services - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Architectural services - $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Engineering, surveying and mapping services - $15 million in average annual receipts

Specialized design services - $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Computer system design and related services - $27.5 million in average annual receipts

Management, scientific and technical consulting services - $15 million in average annual receipts

Advertising, public relations and related services - $15 million in average annual receipts

Research and development in biotechnology – 500 employees

Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences (except biotechnology) – 500 to 1,500 employees

Research and development in social sciences and humanities - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Management of Companies and Enterprises - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Administrative Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services

Employment services - $27.5 million in average annual receipts

Business support services - $15 million in average annual receipts

Travel arrangement and reservation services - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Investigation and security services - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Other support services - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Waste collection, treatment and disposal - $38.5 million in average annual receipts

Remediation services - $20.5 million in average annual receipts

Environmental remediation services – 500 employees

Health Care and Social Assistance

Office of physicians - $11 million in average receipts

Office of dentists - $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Office of other health practitioners - $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Hospitals - $38.5 million in average annual receipts

Other Sectors

Other sectors include

Education,

Arts, Entertainment and Recreation

Accommodation and Food Services

Other Services

More than half of the industries in these sectors have a size standard of $7.5 million in average annual receipts

Other most common size standards are $11 million, followed by $27.5 million, $15 million, and $38.5 million in average annual receipts.

For specific size standards as of January 1 of each year refer to the annual editions of SBA’s Small Business Size Regulations in 13 CFR §121.201. SBA maintains on its website a current table of small business size standards that includes all changes and modifications made since January 1 of the most recent year. (See www.sba.gov/size).